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Protect

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It's time to control your destiny

Your original ideas, concepts, designs and trade marks are crucial to your business success. It's vital that you protect them. If others can access and use your intellectual property, your business may lose its competitive advantage, and you may miss out on profits.

Quick legal checklist

There are legal issues you need to be aware of. These help you on the path towards protecting your business and securing profits. The simple legal checklist on the next page will help you get started.

  1. Find out what Local, State and Commonwealth legislation, registrations and licences affect your business. Contact SmartLicence, or visit the Business Licence Information Service for more information.
  2. Decide on a business structure that's right for you (sole trader, partnership, or company). Discuss your decision with your accountant and solicitor. Find out more in the Legal Structure section of the Toolbox.
  3. If you're going into partnership with someone else, find a solicitor to draw up a formal partnership agreement.
  4. Be sure you know what personal liability you must accept for the debts of your business. Contact the Arts Law Centre of Queensland for advice.
  5. Find out whether the planning and zoning regulations of your local council let your run your business where, how and for as long as you wish. Contact your local council, or SmartLicence.
  6. Be sure you know the statutory obligations you must accept if you plan to employ others. Find out more information about employment in the Managing & HR section of the Toolbox.
  7. Be sure you know what insurance cover you should, or must take out. Contact the Arts Law Centre of Queensland for advice and visit the Insurance section of the Toolbox for more information.

This section of the Creative Business Toolbox takes you through the steps to protecting your business. You'll learn about:

  • choosing a legal structure
  • developing your idea
  • protecting your intellectual property
  • licensing your idea
  • entering into a contract
  • resolving a dispute
  • insuring your business; and
  • managing risks.